Whistles Go Silent, Just Like Any Hope Flyers Had Of Playoffs
The Philadelphia Flyers lost 3-1 to the Montreal Canadiens Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center. After falling behind 2-0 after the 2nd period, the Flyers couldn’t close the deficit in the 3rd.
Sean Couturier scored his 30th goal of the season. Couturier now has 70 points, 30G & 40A, in 71 games this season. Another impressive season for the Flyers star two-way centermen.
Carter Hart stopped 33 of the 35 shots he faced in the losing effort.
Here are 4 more observations from the Flyers 3-1 loss to the Canadiens…
Whistles Went Missing
Wes McCauley is known for his delayed announcements. Tonight, Wes and his partner, TJ Luxmore, were both putting on a show. A show for the very wrong reasons.
Normally referees get called out for calling weak, ticky-tacky calls. Unfortunately, tonight, there wasn’t even one of them. In all, there was only 1 penalty called tonight.
On multiple occasions, not just for the Flyers, McCauley and Luxmore had delayed reactions and missed every call tonight. By the count in press row, at least 4 obvious no-calls in the 3rd period alone.
In the biggest game of the year for the Flyers, one thing they shouldn’t have to worry about was the referees. Unfortunately, they forgot a game was being played and let everything go.
Too Passive
When you have an open shot, you take it. Normally. On this Flyers team, it seems nobody wants to take a shot. But, when they do, it’s an easy save.
During the 1st period, the Flyers had just 8 shots. Also during the period, the Flyers gave up about 10 shot attempts. Now, it is fine to not force shots. But, when you give up high quality opportunities to find an impossible pass for a goal, THATS NOT GOOD.
Travis Konecny gave up a wide open shot from the high slot to pass the puck into traffic to try and hit Raffl in-front. Wrong decision. Jake Voracek held onto the puck a second too long before being checked. Trying to get the extra inch of space. Bad decision.
This isn’t something new for the Flyers. Claude Giroux has had issues with this too on multiple occasions in the past. In a sport where goals are so crucial, the Flyers try to be too perfect sometimes. Rather than just put pucks on net.
Season Is Theoretically Over
In a must win game for any chance of keeping their playoff hopes alive, the Flyers came out on the wrong end of it. After falling behind 2-0, the Canadiens speed and defensive pressure was too much to overcome.
With the loss, the Flyers are now 6 points out of a playoff spot and possibly could be 8 with the Blue Jackets result tonight.
In a season playing from behind, the Flyers have faltered in the worst times. Ending their impressive and last ditch effort to try and make the playoffs.
Flyers Going Over-Seas?
Over the past two weeks, the Flyers have been a hot topic for next season. After initial reports surfaced with the Flyers possibly playing the Kings in Prague next season, sources immediately defined the report. Well, half of it.
It seems the Flyers wont be playing the Kings in Prague. But, the Flyers are expected to play the Chicago Blackhawks in Prague to start next season, according to NHL source. This and the NHL official league games are expected to be announced on Thursday.
This all started when season ticket holders make it known there will only be 40 games played at the Wells Fargo Center next season. That meant the Flyers would be playing a home game not in Philadelphia.
One of the very reasons the Flyers are always considered for the NHL Official Games is because of the fans. With great success in outdoor games previously, it will be interesting to see how the Flyers faithful travels across the pond to Prague Czech Republic.
Result : Flyers 1 – Canadiens 3, LOSS
Record : 35 – 30 – 8
Next Game : 3/21 Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago IL, NBCSports Philadelphia 8:30pm